Dear Bernard A few years ago driving from Essex to Kent for a Sunday point to point. I randomly tuned into “Desert Island Discs”…I was fascinated by the subject and his choice of music…his liking of the Coen brother’s film “O brother where art thou”… and his life’s voyage to date.Having divorced and settled with an Essex girl some six years ago and having a new baby to bring up with an ex Jehovah’s Witness, I was forced to confront my comfortable cloak of Catholicism and abandon it for a more reasoned atheism.My new In laws are pillars of the J.W.s and I take juvenile delight(may I say inspired by you!) in ensuring that, during their visits, my breakfast contains black pudding (whether I want it or not!).I now work near Maldon and having shuddered at the horrors of southern Essex on arrival from Sussex, I am growing to love the charms of the area and all its tiny weatherboarded chapels. I am not much of an historical novel reader, but I have just finished ” Sword Song”. Very enjoyable. I shall now embark on some more of your works. You have a new fan.I’ll probably still think of you when “The Peculiars” are mentioned or religious intolerance, or indeed at the sight of a black pudding ring in Waitrose.But I am now determined to think of you more in Waterstone’s! Best regards Chris O’Donovan